Reaching boys

Lucinda Neall is an expert in communicating with boys. Here are her top tips for bringing out the best in them…

Boys and girls are different – we see that every day. But how much do we understand about how boys tick, and how can we get them to achieve their best? The majority of boys are energetic, physical and action-orientated; they like to run, jump, jostle and shout. Even the quieter, less physical boys are mentally active and inhabit imaginary worlds full of excitement, fun and adventure.

Boys’ and girls’ brains and bodies develop in different ways and at different rates. Boys tend to develop fine motor skills later than girls. A girl may find buttons and buckles easy when a boy of the same age still struggles with them. She might enjoy sitting at a table using a pencil and paper, while he would be more comfortable lying on the floor with a fat felt-tipped pen and a larger sheet of paper.